The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-03-11

'Ny weakness, then, is that I love
him Is that what you mean, motherl'
Ms. Randolph responded family:
yes"
"Then console yourself, for ! neither
love nor hate him"
Mrs. Randolph said no more, but left
the room with a feeling Of vague uneasI-
neas.
If she would only forget the man
How can tell whether she loves him OF
noti How can / tell how she will meet
hint But meet him she must, poor. pas
sionate hearted girl and no one can sus-
tain her.
The bIrthnight feie passed of success
fully. Francia was lovely in garnet vel
vet and cream satin, and her arms and
neck cleaned like pink-tinted marble
I bat her face wore its usual statuesque
coldBcss-the GOODNESS that had only be-
come habitual since her recovery from
her illness.
An Englishman was much attracted
by her great beauty, but her frigidity re
PEELED him.
She has no soul. She freezes me"
''she is all soul. You do not possess
the magic key TO open the casket," said
a friend.
The Englishman assented indifferent
~, and went his way; but fate had
marked him.
1t was during the summer. whine the
Randolph family were residing at their
country home, that Francia met the man
whom she had once 90 mAdly worshiped.
He came purposely to see her
Il supposed, Francia, you had heard Of
my arrival, and l thought owed it to
you 10 see you once more, HI said. as
s-.s-'Sass--.- - he rose 10
greet her.
"Why." she asked, looking not at
him, but at his card which she had
brought with her. She did not take the
hand he held out to her. Man of the
world that he was, he seemed to become
confused at her simple query.
My reason should be plain to you"
"Whyin she asked again, slowly tear
ing into bits the card in her hand.
lie SHIFTED his position, then came up
to her and laid his fingers on her de
structiYe ones.
sit down. 1t is ridiculous for us to
go on this way, and have much to say
to you"
She freed her hand from his trembling
fingers, and for the first time lifted her
eyes TO his.
Il cannot understand what you could
possibly have to say to me that would
interest me to such an ex-
tent that ] should be kept standing long.
Do you sit down, but prefer to stand
He wet his dry lip, and at fr-t his
yoi,e wa hu ky, but a he proceeded it
beca re clearer and stronger.
''francia, | have come TO beg your
pardon. YoE would not give me my
freedom when a ked, or, rather, took
il, and now l am glad that you did not.
| thought | wa tired of your love-I |
thought could ca i,y forget you. l
went far as TO make love TO Gene Re |
nard, the woman for who sake you so
bitterly upbra;ded me the day we parted; |
but he laughed at me. and thea l knew |
now had wronged you. would have |
gone back to you then, but pride was
stronger than love. went abroad, mean
ns TO return in year, but two year
vent 10y before | could decide what was
Dc for me to do. Now | have Gene |
iaek-I you to be my wife-I ask
lou 10 love me and forgive any suffering
may have eau cd you. -
lie went closer to her, but she put out
me hand imperatiyely. In the other
land the tiny bits Of his visiting card
ay in n confused mass.
do you think you could piece to-
,ether this card and make it as spotless.
IS brilliant, perfect, as it was one hour
igolH SIC asked.
Ills hand closed systematically over
iers.
.'Franeia, do not torture me-do not
De erueli know that you love me-
stop" she cried, imperiously, fling
NJ out her hand and scattering the torn
ard in a white shower over the floor.
Now must speak plainly. Just as i'm
'ossible as it is for you to restore the
loom TO the grape which you have
Iandled too roughly, Just as impossible
5 it for me to love you. Once l would
ave given my life foI you-once would
ave been your slave for sweet loves
axe But you outraged my love. and
arned my worship TO indifference, which
more TO be feared than hate / gave
gu all-and lost it. And now have
oihiDg TO give you, or any man. De-
pair has darkened my soul, slain my
outh, killed JOY. and hope, and faith!
lever sgain will love- Never again
ill woman love you Is / did; but YOU
brew it away-you trampled it under
our feet as If It were something too base
DR. use! And now you stoop to regain
!, and tell you it is too late, too latel"
Slowing turning. she left him. He
TODD with his head bent upon his hand
DR. moment, then he, too, left the room.
Too late, for ever too late to win the
rioeless boon Of this zone that was 4
oman, sir"
Five years afterward Francia Randolph
iarried ihs Englishman. Frederick
who bad said she had no soul.
lac told him she had no love TO give him
r any other man
Il would rather have your liberation
han any other woman's love" he pro-
asted.
But she was not glad at his answer,
Dr. it seemed indeed as If she had lost
be power to feel.
But as the years passed her tender
Election for her husband became a
'onderful thing. If she had lost love,
be had gained broader virtue.
Who is il that has said: 'Love is best
( all" How little he knewl-Frank
eslis'G.
Remarkably. cr;noio